Russell Westbrook is expected to sign with the Denver Nuggets after being traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, who are set to buy out the veteran point guard’s contract.

Utah is sending defensive specialist Kris Dunn, a second-round draft swap and cash to the Clippers.

The 35-year-old Westbrook started 11 times in 68 games this past year, averaging a career-low 11.1 points per game. He also averaged 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

In 2023-24, Westbrook hit 45.4 percent of his field-goal attempts, 27.3 percent of his 3-pointers and 68.8 percent of his free throws. He had a 306/144 assist-to-turnover ratio.

After spending his first 11 seasons with Oklahoma City, Denver will be Westbrook’s fifth different team since the Thunder shipped him to Houston in a 2020 trade.

During his 16-year NBA career, Westbrook is averaging 21.7 points, 8.1 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 SPG. He’s drained 43.8 percent of his field-goal attempts, 30.4 percent of his treys and 68.8 percent of his free throws.

With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson both leaving the Nuggets in free agency, they were in need of a veteran guard who can defend and bring energy to the court from off the bench. Westbrook, who remains one of the league’s top perimeter defenders, fits that role nicely.

The Clippers are moving forward with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden as their leaders after Paul George left for Philadelphia in free agency. The additions of Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Nicolas Batum should make L.A. an improved team at the defensive end.

Dunn, who has agreed to a three-year, $17 million contract with the Clippers, averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 assists and 1.0 SPG for the Jazz this past season. Dunn’s 66 games for Utah were the most he had played in since 2016-17.